A couple of years ago, Aaron Rodgers made headlines by retreating into total darkness to reflect on his NFL career. He emerged four days later and, after a few months of speculation, signed with the New York Jets. Now, as his time in New York appears to be over, Rodgers is once again at a crossroads—taking his time to decide whether to return for redemption or walk away from football altogether. This time, though, it’s not Rodgers in the dark—it’s the NFL, especially teams like the Steelers, waiting for his next move.
Rodgers hasn’t returned to a darkness retreat, but he has been spotted quietly walking on the beaches of Malibu as speculation swirls. According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, there’s no hard deadline for Rodgers to announce his plans, which mirrors how he delayed his Jets signing until right before the 2023 NFL Draft. The question is, how many teams are willing to wait that long again?
The Minnesota Vikings, once thought to be in the mix, appear to have moved on. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers have emerged as a serious contender. Their quarterback situation remains uncertain, with only Mason Rudolph officially on the roster. Although Rudolph recently signed a two-year deal, he’s widely viewed as a backup. Russell Wilson is also in the picture, but the Steelers seem open to letting Rodgers take his time.
NFL reporter Jordan Schultz revealed in his column that Pittsburgh is prepared to be patient and that money isn’t a sticking point. That kind of patience suggests they’re willing to wait all offseason—maybe even until Labor Day—if it means landing a veteran with over 500 career touchdown passes.
While early reports suggested Rodgers was seeking $90 million over two years, more recent rumors say he’s looking for a salary comparable to Sam Darnold, who signed a three-year, $100 million deal with the Seahawks. The Steelers have around $35 million in cap space, so while they can’t overspend, they’re financially positioned to make something work.
Beyond numbers, Pittsburgh isn’t just eyeing a quarterback—they’re buying into a potential redemption arc. Rodgers going up against AFC North rivals like Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson could be a media dream. But despite the appeal, not everyone’s enjoying the wait.
Steelers defensive tackle Cameron Heyward recently voiced his frustration on his Not Just Football podcast, saying, “I want to play football. I’m tired of talking about the quarterback situation.” He added bluntly, “Either you want to be a Pittsburgh Steeler or you don’t.”
Rodgers’ indecision could backfire on the Steelers. Wilson could sign elsewhere, and if Rodgers chooses the Giants—or retires—Pittsburgh might be left scrambling. One backup option? Joe Flacco, the former Ravens QB who has a long history against the Steelers. Though his best days are behind him, he’s expressed a desire to keep playing and might land a role with Mike Tomlin’s squad.
Meanwhile, the Vikings have already moved on—leaving Pittsburgh to wonder: wait it out or move on themselves?